Middle blocker Trizah Atuka, Esther Mutinda and Leonida Kasaya have been recalled to the Malkia Strikre, the national women’s volleyball team ahead of the Africa Cup of Nations and Nations Challenger Cup both doubling up as qualifiers for the 2024 Paris Olympic Games.
The Kenya Pipeline Company player Atuka has been absent from the national team since 2019 when she suffered a career-threatening knee injury which sent her on the sidelines for close to one year.
KCB’s Mutinda also joins Kasaya, Rose Magoi and DCI left attacker Jemimah Siang’u for the national duties.
The experienced side will be up against newcomers Loise Simiyu, Delphine Misoki and Juliana Namutira.
The squad is expected to pitch camp at the Kasarani Indoor Arena next week before it is trimmed down to 16 players then fly to train in Morocco from June 10 before departing for the International Volleyball Federation (FIVB) Challenger Cup set for June 25-31 in France.
The top two teams after the Challenger Cup will be invited to the lucrative Volleyball Nations League where finalists will get direct tickets for the Olympic Games. Malkia Strikers can also qualify by winning this year’s Africa Cup of Nations